Rockies within a game of division lead…

The Rockies 4-2 victory over the Padres last night coupled with the Dodgers 7-3 loss to the Cubs gives the Rockies sole possession of 2nd place in the NL West by a game over the Dodgers. The victory also puts the Rockies one game behind the division leading Padres.

Finally unlike in recent games the Rockies didn’t have to play catchup to win a game. Melvin Mora hit his first homer of the season in the 2nd inning, a solo shot. Carlos Gonzalez followed up with a solo shot of his own in the 3rd. Recent callup and first baseman Brad Eldred also hit his first homerun of the season, a 2 run shot in the 6th giving the Rockies a 4-0 lead. Jason Hammel threw 6 shutout innings before being charged with 2 runs before leaving in the 7th. The bullpen was dominant allowing no hits in the remainder of the game (Belisle, Beimel), and Huston Street recorded his 5th save on the season. Jason Hammel goes into the all-star break with a record of 7-3.

The Rockies will go for the sweep and first place in the NL West with Jeff Francis (2-3) on the hill.